Mountains contain a wealth of diversity

Peru: A farmer in the Andes tends one of the region's
native plantsFAO/20771/J. Spaull

Mountains are rich in biodiversity. A
number of important crop varieties originated in mountain
areas. For example, potatoes were first domesticated in the
Andes, and the Hindu Kush/Himalaya is home to a rich variety
of native fruits and cereals.

The specialized ecosystems found in
mountains continue to be important reservoirs for plant
genetic resources that offer tremendous potential for
agriculture and medicine.